I'm surprised Turnbull challenged so soon. I'd expected him to either wait till near election time. Or possibly to wait until after losing the election and then trying to rebuild the party in his own image.

But despite Turnbull's track record, I'd be amazed if he's still reckless enough to triggeer a DD. There's no issue on which he can do so where his party's position is more popular than the government's. Even calling a normal election early is risky — it backfired on Gillard and Rudd.

JF Aus

Abbott couldn't win a chook raffle if he was the only one with a ticket. As an progressive I want Turnbull, but as an anti-conservative I want Abbott. I'll put the good of Australians first, I want Turnbull. If the Labor Party had a vote then Abbott would romp in. Is Tone bring alone the National this time? LOL.
The result in the blue ribbon Liberal seat of Canning WA is going to be interesting. If Abbott was to get up tonight then the Liberals can write Canning off as a loss. If Turnbull should win then it will be a Liberal win but by how much its hard to say.

A master stroke by Turnbull to crap all over Abbott today, work out why, but it was a very good move. Hockey is a fool, played right into Turnbull's hands, he knows he is a dead duck if Turnbull wins.

Right at this very moment this is about whether or not Australia moves forward or continues going nowhere.

Turnbull 54/44 How else could the Liberals vote. Can't say i'm sorry to see you go Tone.

Paul,

Considering that you have been predicting the downfall of Abbott continuously for 6 years eventually you had to be right. 50 strikes against you and 1 for you.

Farewell Tony you were the best PM in 8 years and achieved more in 2 yrs than Labor/greens in 6 yrs.

It is time for the policy-free Labor Opposition to get out its dirt file on Turnbull.

However the clock must be ticking for Wee Willie Shorten aka 'Whatever She Says'.

That is if the other ex-Gillard ministers can find enough bottle to oust him and instal another plotting Emily's Lister, this time Plibersek.

The argument in favour will be gender-based campaigning - the claim by Emily's Listers that 'women will always vote for women'. That is absolute cr@p of course and patronises women, but it is a view that has appeal in some quarters, to the aged feminist dinosaurs of the previous Millenium. -Who never wake up to educated middle class opportunists like Plibersek and Penny Wong who have piggybacked the women's movement for years for their own personal benefit.

Watch out for those gelding shears Wee Willie, for they are a-comin' to get you, 'Sooner than Later'.